Lamiaceae
Mint Family
Spotted bee balm
Monarda punctata L.
- Notes: Monarda punctata is similar to M. fistulosa except shorter (1 1/2’ to 2 1/2’ tall), more branched above, and more hairy. The leaves are narrower (2 1/4” by 3/8”), hairy above, and very hairy below, and the leaf surfaces have tiny clear dots. The flowers are clustered at the nodes of the upper branches. The corolla is similar but white to cream with purple spots. Fruits are similar. Flowering is from mid-June to late July, and fruiting begins in late June. M. punctata is infrequent on prairies and stabilized dunes with very sandy soil and usually with some disturbance.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
